Out of the Shadow

The following morning everything was falling perfectly in place. Ashley and Rhea always got up first, and Ashley went to breakfast before Helen could even think about getting up. She was always saying she needed her beauty sleep. Rhea waited for me at the door of the room while I dug into the little bag from the twins and pulled out a dungbomb. I opened the door slowly, then before closing it I rolled the little ball under Helens bed with enough force that it would hit the back wall, setting it off.

The minute it left my hand I ducked out of the room and Rhea and I took off for the great hall. We didn't stop or breath until we sat down. The moment we did we burst into laughter. Taking a minute to calm down I piled some food on to my plate and began eating. I wanted to make sure I looked as separated from the problem as possible.

I sat in content silence as Rhea and I dug into our food, but it was short lived as Helen marched into the great room and right up to us at the table. "YOU!" She pointed a finger in my face. I looked up at her and scrunched up my face. "Me? I think you'll find that's all you Helen. What happened?" I kept my face completely natural. Helen gave me a cold laugh.

"I know it was you."

"What did I do?"

"YOU SET THAT THING OFF IN MY BEDROOM AND IT KILLED MY FOREVER FLOWER!"

Her accusing screams had grabbed the entire great hall now. I put my cutlery down and let out a sigh. "What thing?" I kept my tone casual. I couldn't get too tensed up or my own big mouth would rat myself out. Helen glared at me. "Do not act like you have no idea what is going on. Do you think I am stupid enough to believe Rhea or Ashley could pull something like that off?"

"Hey!" Rhea said defensively. Helen waved her off. I crossed my arms, but I didn't dare stand up. I noticed Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall making their way towards us. "What is going on here?" Professor Flitwick asked. Helen stomped her foot next to the small man, but he didn't even flinch.

"Holly set off a…." it looked like it was going to physically harm her to say it. "A dungbomb in my bedroom."

The two professors looked from Helen to me. "With all do respect Professor, but I share a room with Helen. Why would I set a dungbomb off in my own bedroom?" I got her there and she knew it as she glared at me. I wanted to stick my tongue out at her, but I kept myself composed. Professor Flitwick sighed. "Alright, everyone back to their breakfasts."

"Aren't you going to do anything about her?" Helen called after him. When he didn't answer her, she turned her gaze back to me and I popped a grape into my mouth before turning to Rhea. "Library?" She, thankfully, nodded. We walked out as Helen huffed loudly behind us. Eventually she went back towards the Ravenclaw tower. Rhea and I settled at a table inside the library. I skimmed though a book, but nothing really held my attention.

All I could think of was how lucky I was that Helen didn't push into me more. Maybe I should say I was even more lucky that the professors didn't push it either. Things from Zonko's joke shop aren't banned from Hogwarts, but I couldn't stop wondering if Helen was going to make that her contribution to Hogwarts. Something inside me sank. Maybe my big, fun, plan was over before it truly started.

"Incoming." Rhea's soft voice pulled me away from my thoughts. I looked up from my book to see Fred and George striding towards us. "I'm guessing your plan went down with out any problems huh?" Fred said with a laugh. I glanced over at Madame Pince; she hadn't silenced us yet but kept a close eye on the twins. "Come on." I said nodding towards the door. "Rhea?" She shook her head. "I've had enough excitement for one day." Smiling I walked out of the library with the twins.

I didn't speak to them about the incident until we were outside in the courtyard. "So, what happened?" George asked this time. I sighed. "All I did was roll it under her bed. I didn't think it'd killer her precious flower." The twins looked at each other. "What is a forever flower anyway?" Fred asked. I shrugged. "Not totally sure. It's a rose that she keeps next to her bed and it never dies, and the fragrance never goes away."

"Your dormitory always smells like a floral shop?"

I nodded.

"That's enough to make me throw a dungbomb at it."

"I didn't throw it at the flower."

"But you still killed the flower."

I huffed and crossed my arms. "That was not my intention." The twins laughed knowing that they were giving me a hard time. I wasn't sure there was a prank pulled that they didn't immediately own up too. I sighed again thinking about that. "I'm seriously rethinking the rest of the plan." This time the twins exchanged a look. "You have a plan? It wasn't just a one-time joke?" I shook my head.

"I had a plan for her, but now I'm not sure."

"Why?"

"She called me out right away. She isn't an idiot; she'll know it's me. Oh god, she is probably going though my things right now."

I jumped to my feet, but the twins placed a hand each on my shoulder and sat me back down. "Tell us what you have planned? Maybe we can help." I raised an eyebrow at George and looked between him and Fred. They seemed completely unmoved either way. I sighed. "No, I have to do this. I won't let her treat people so horribly without having a little fun."

The twins both smiled down at me. "Whatever you need, we can help you out." I gave them a half smile before folding back up into my thoughts. Sadly, that didn't last long either because we were joined by Harry, Ron and Hermione. "I've been looking everywhere for you." Harry said as he walked towards us. "What happened at breakfast?" I shrugged. Harry wasn't buying it.

"Yeah, alright. I may or may not have rolled a dungbomb under Helen's bed."

Ron snorted out a laugh though quickly hid it when Hermione looked at him. "Why?" Harry asked. I shrugged. "Many reasons, she thinks she is better then everyone else because she is a distant relation to Helena Ravenclaw." Harry sighed and sat down beside me. "So, you did do it?" I stared at him with wide eyes. "Yes, but you won't tell her. Oh God, Harry don't be uncool now."

I was surprised Harry laughed. "No, but don't actually get caught." I threw my arms around him and gave him a hug. When we pulled apart, I smiled at him. "Don't worry. I don't plan on it." Harry shook his head, but he was smiling so I knew I was safe. Before they walked away Ron seemed to remember something and handed a folded letter to the Twins. The exchanged a look before Fred took it.

I waited patiently while they scanned over the letter. They both shrugged and Fred put it in his pocket. "What?" I asked looking between the two of them. "It looks like you guys won't be the only ones staying here for Christmas." Fred said as George took the seat beside me. "Oh? Did something happen?" They shook their heads. "Mum and Dad are going to Egypt to see Bill." I smiled. It was selfish of me, I knew that, but I was grateful they were staying.

Christmas eve finally arrived and as much as I was grateful that I still had the Weasley's and Harry my heart wasn't completely into it. I waved goodbye to Rhea as she headed off to the train to meet up with her family. I dragged myself into the great hall where I saw Harry and Ron playing wizards chess. I sat beside Harry with my head resting on my hand and watched them play.

"Are you thinking about Mum and Dad?"

I nodded without even looking at Harry. My stomach was twisting in knots. I wasn't just worried about them, but also Sirius and Remus. "They would have said something by now if something was wrong." Ron said, apparently trying to cheer us up. I gave him a weak smile. "It's not that I think something is wrong we've just never spent a holiday without them." I let my head drop from my hand and laid it on the table.

"What did you do to her Ron?" I heard the familiar sound of one of the twins. I smiled as I picked my head up from the table. "Why me?" Ron asked surprised. "It's fine. I'm just bored." I said quietly. The twins looked at each other and smiled before turning back to me. I knew that smirk and I was standing up before they even had to say something. "Hey." Harry said grabbing my hand. "Be careful." I gave him a mock salute before following the twins out of the great hall.

"Go get bundled up and meet us back here." Fred said at the entrance way to the courtyard. I nodded and raced back up to my room. I threw on gloves, a hat and my coat before running back to the courtyard. Now there were a couple more people standing around with them. I recognized their friend Lee Jordan. With him was the two girls from the quidditch team, Oliver Wood, and another player I hadn't met before.

Together we walked out into the courtyard. George talking excitedly beside me. "It's just your average snowball fight, but with magic. We have a lot more people so maybe break down into teams?" I think he was asking Fred, so I don't answer. "Holly has never played before." Fred started to say to the others. "Correction." I started. "I have never played with you, before." I gave him a knowing look.

"Oh. Think you can handle yourself then?" Fred grinned wickedly at me. I shrugged. "Okay, teams then. Johnson and Spinnet. Wood and Donner. Lee Jordan will be with the Potter girl since she seems to know what she is doing." I gave Fred a pointed look and George put his hand on my shoulder with a laugh. "Good luck!" Then everyone disappeared. Lee Jordan gabbed my hand and we hid. "Now what?" I asked him in a whisper. "I am terrible at this game. I don't know how they wrap me into this." I sighed heavily.

"Okay. Give me basics."

"No one leaves the courtyard. You have to be the last team standing."

"Can you get hit?"

"Well of course, but then you are out and have to go on solo."

I nodded and took a minute to think. Snowball fights were a huge hit in our house. Even Mum got involved. I peaked my head over the wall we were hiding behind. I picked out each of the teams. "Okay. Are you ready Lee?" I asked him. He looked unsure. "I just need you to keep making me snowballs. Got it?" He nodded. "Start. I have a plan."

I ducked down again and whispered a spell I heard my mother use once, and instantly a small hole was blasted through the wall. I got a perfect view of the courtyard. "We are going to win this without magic, or as minimal as possible." Lee Jordan didn't look convinced as he handed me my first snowball. I smiled at him just as Fred's voice called out to us.

"Come on Potter, I thought you've played this before."

I sneaked along the wall towards Fred voice. I peered around just long enough to spot him. He was standing on the outskirts of the courtyard, but his back was to me. I aimed and threw the ball. It smacked him in the back with a satisfying "WACK." I rushed back towards my place beside Lee. "Again." I said my hand out waiting for another one. I peaked though the hole and saw Donner going to take another step into the courtyard not realizing Fred was already hit.

I launched the ball over the wall and right into Donners thigh. When I ducked down again I high-fived Lee, but thankfully it was muffled by our gloves. Through the hole I could see Donner and Fred standing near the entrance watching the rest of us. Wood knocked out Angelina Johnson, and a second later Alicia Spinnet took out Oliver Wood.

The only ones left were George, Alicia, Lee Jordan and me. "Come on Georgie!" I heard Fred call out just as I watched George chuck a snowball at Alicia. "One left." I said smiling at Lee Jordan who looked absolute amazed. "You should be the one to take down George. You've done all the work already."

"Do you want to be my diversion, or do you want to finish with me?"

Lee Jordan simply shrugged. I looked though the wall. "Okay. Stand up, with a snowball and step into the courtyard." Lee Jordan gave me a nod before taking one of the snowballs from the pile and stepping into the opening. Like he was hunting down George. Within a couple minutes George released a snowball and it hit Lee Jordan in the chest. Not even looking disappointed he rushed over to the others.

Before George and I could react, Fred stepped into the courtyard. "Okay, final two. Step into the courtyard but hold your fire!" I watched George step out with a single snowball in my hand, so I did the same. "First person to get hit loses, and you can't hide anymore." I shrugged. I knew how to make someone's height against them. All I had to do was bade my time. George and I kept a careful eye on each other, and I noticed a twitch in his wrist. He was getting ready. I ran towards him full force, just as he released the snowball. It flew past my head, and I stopped running smiling at George before flicking the snowball at his chest.

"Alright Potter, way to make me eat my words."

I watched as a sickle was exchanged between the brothers. "You bet on me?" I exclaimed. The both shrugged and I rolled my eyes. When we walked back towards the great hall for dinner we ran into Harry and Ron. "You guys look.." Ron trailed off. I smiled before linking both arms around each arm of the twins and smiling. "Like sore losers?" I said.

Ron and Harry lifted their eyebrows. "Would you boys like to tell them?" I said sounding way to proud of myself. The twins sighed. "She beat us at a snowball fight." Harry gave me a smile. "Without magic." Fred added. "Everyone else used it, why couldn't you? You had to be fancy about it."

"Don't worry guys, she dominates in stealth. No magic needed."

I smiled and detached myself from the twins. "Don't take it personally. My dad and brother both refuse to let me play anymore." We walked into the great hall. With the less people behind for school the teachers were allowing the houses to mix, and I was so grateful for that. However, as I followed them towards the Gryffindor table, I noticed someone sitting alone at the Ravenclaw table. "I'll catch up with you guys later."

I walked over and sat across from Ashley. "Hi." I said to her. She gave me a small smile in return. "Want some company?" Ashley gave me a small shrug. "Sure." I didn't hate Ashley; I just think she got too wrapped up in Helen. Ashley was a muggle born witch, so all of this was new to her, and someone like Helen probably made it seem so glamorous.

"What's wrong?" I asked her as I started to put a plate together. Again, she shrugged. "Look, Ashley I know I don't get along with Helen and she's your friend, but if something is wrong, I want you to know you can talk to me about it. Whatever is going on between Helen and I don't change my opinion about you."

Ashley didn't say anything for a while before sighing. "I just wish I made more friends. Helen took me under her wing, but people aren't exactly her biggest fans. It's hard to make other friends when Helen is around." I gave her a small smile. "Well you are always welcome to hang out with me and Rhea whenever you need a break."

"You are always with those twins, and Helen believes that you and your brother are trouble because your parents went into hiding."

"Not always, but anytime you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask us. We are your housemates, and I'm sure you can make your own opinions about someone."

I tried to keep the irritation from my voice. Ashley nodded. "I know, I don't think your parents, or your brother are dangerous. Or you, well you might be a little." She smiled at me, so I knew she was joking. "You released the dungbomb didn't you?" I didn't answer her, and she gave me another smile. "Well whoever it was, I need to thank them. I was getting so annoyed with going to the hospital wing every day to deal with my allergies."

"What?" my head snapped up to look at her. "That flower was making you sick?" Ashley nodded. "Yeah I can't breathe when there is so much pollen in a low ventilated area." I knew I was looking at her with wide eyes. "Why didn't the school do anything about it?" Ashley shrugged. "I didn't tell them what it was from. They knew I had allergy issues, that's it."

I shook my head the irritation growing inside me at Helen again. She wasn't even at Hogwarts and she was giving me a headache. I sighed heavily. "Yeah, it was me." I said finally. I didn't care if Ashley ended up ratting me out, in this moment I was more then glad for what I did. Ashley didn't say anything for a long while. "Can I ask you another question?" She said finally. I looked up and waited for her to continue.

"How are you dealing with your parents going into hiding? I mean, do you even know when you will see them again?"

I gave her a small shrug. "I haven't thought about it. I'm mostly concerned with their safety." I sighed again. "I haven't let myself think about it too much, if I'm completely honest. I've been focusing on everything here. What good is worrying out right going to do anyway."

"You are so strong, both of you. This is the first time I've been away from my family, and I'm going crazy! I couldn't imagine if I couldn't even write to them."

I reached across the table and patted her hand. "Honestly, I was worried about missing them so much when I came to school too. Just because we are witches doesn't mean I'm used to being away from my parents." I smiled at her. "It might make you feel better if you wrote to them. I might write to mine, even if I can't send it. It still helps sometimes." Ashley nodded. "Thanks Holly." Then she got up and walked out of the great hall.

I turned back to the desert on my plate and just stared at it. I let her question of missing my family circle in my head. I felt a tear slide down my cheek and I didn't rush to wipe it away. I think I had every right to be upset. I felt someone sit next to me, but I knew instantly who it was. We might not be in-sync like Fred and George, but I still know when my brother is near me.

We sat together staring at the table before I felt him sneak an arm around my shoulder and I let him pull me into him. I buried my face into his shoulder and let myself cry for a minute. I finally pulled back and composed myself. "Sorry. Just thinking of Mum and Dad." Harry just gave me a nod. "I'm so worried about them Harry, and I miss them so much." Harry gave me a weak smile.

"I know. I do too, but you know they're doing whatever they can to keep us safe, and there is no safer place then Hogwarts."

"Then they should be here too."

The next morning, I woke in the bedroom with Ashley. We gave each other a small wave before noticing the wrapped packages at the end of our beds. Wide eyed Ashley and I both jumped up and tore into the packages. I smiled at all the books and supplies from Remus. I missed him too, oh god and Sirius sitting in prison. There were three boxes left. I opened up the one closes to me and gasped when a knitted sweater dropped into my lap.

I lifted it up. In a beautiful navy blue with perfect stitched little Holly flower. I smiled and cuddled it close to me. Oh that Mrs. Weasley. I made a mental note to write her a letter. The next box was filled with little homemade trinkets. The little paper on the top just had two W's on it. "Okay." I said putting it down and reaching for the last one.

Another gasp escaped me as I opened the letter attached to the box;

Our darling little Holly,

We miss you and Harry so much. There isn't a single minute that goes by that we don't wish we were with you both. Dumbledore gives us small updates when he can. We hear you are doing wonderful in your studies, not that we doubted you. Your father is so happy to hear that you seemed to pick up his – trickster- tendencies. I just hope you are being nice to everyone.

We are so proud of you becoming your own woman. We are counting down the days until we can see you again.

All of our love,

Mum and Dad x

I wiped away the tears that started to fall as I read their letter and noticed my dad's sloppy handwriting at the bottom. "P.S. sending you some more fun." I looked over into the box and noticed it was filled with all sorts of things from Zonko's and even a handful of little trinkets that muggles use to prank each other. I smiled widely until something under the toys caught my attention.

I lifted a small frame out of the box. Inside was a picture of my parents. They were standing inside a little peach colored room; my father had his arm around my mum's waist, and she was blowing a kiss at the camera while he waved. I felt the tears again as I stared at my parents. They looked healthy, if not a little tired. I felt someone come up behind me. "Is that your parents?" Ashley asked. I gave her a small nod.

I felt her pat my shoulder. "You look just like your mum!" She said sounding surprised. I laughed. "I know, and Harry looks like my dad. Everyone jokes that Harry and I are just clones." I heard Ashley laugh behind me. "I could believe it. The only difference are your eyes." I nodded. We got up to get ready and I put the frame on my bedside table. I pulled on my new sweater and put all the new trinkets in one box before going towards the great hall.

I ran into the great hall and right up to the Gryffindor table. "Hey! Holly's got one too!" Fred said. I stopped suddenly and noticed Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Harry all had on a sweater like mine. "I knew this had to be from her!" I said happily. "You don't have a letter on yours." George said looking between Harry and I. "I suppose he she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid – we know our names are Gred and Forge."

Everyone laughed, except Percy who I was convinced never laughed. "Okay Gred and Forge. Check this out." I said shoving the box between the twins. The gazed inside and one of them whistled. "I haven't even seen some of these things." Fred said picking up one of the muggle toys. "Where did you get it all?" George asked. "My dad sent it to me!" Harry stood up and got a better look at the box.

"Are there muggle ones too?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and then I got another box of stuff I've never seen before! I can't wait to get started." I gazed down into the box. "We know where the other box came from." George said so quietly I almost didn't hear him. I looked up at him. "I'll tell you later." He said turning back to his breakfast. "Hey." Harry's voice caught my attention again. "Did you get a letter from mum and dad?" I nodded. "Yeah me too." We stood there sharing an unspoken moment with a box and the Weasley family between us. After a while I broke his gaze leaning over and stealing a piece of toast. "See ya in a bit!" I said turning and walking out of the great hall.

I didn't have to look behind me to know that the Twins were following me.